Lewis Hamilton should remain at McLaren, according to Sir Jackie Stewart. It is unlikely that Hamilton will seek out Stewart for wise words, but the three-times world champion, who also ran his own team, is one of the sages of the paddock and when it came to the major talking point in Monza – whether Hamilton should move to Mercedes or stay put – he made a great deal of sense.

"I personally would have stayed with McLaren," the Scot said. "They have the resources and the money. They have the commitment and also have huge experience. He would not be here today without McLaren, so there is a degree of loyalty that I think you should always have. I don't think McLaren have been out of the top end of motor racing now for a very long time. Mercedes Benz is a wonderful company, but it would take a five‑minute meeting by the board to stop them being in the sport because of the economy and all the currency that is involved in the present time in Europe. So, if I was thinking long term, then I would be looking to stay at McLaren."

Stewart's opinion is supported by another former British driver, Johnny Herbert, now a pundit with Sky Sports. "I really don't know what he will do. I think he will stay, if I had to put money on it," he said. "You have to ask what there is at Mercedes that would attract him, apart from the money, if that is the issue.

"I mean, Mercedes haven't really come on this year after winning in China. What is there about the team that could convince Lewis that he would have a better chance of winning titles there?

"McLaren, on the other hand, have proved that they can develop a car during the season, as Red Bull have. And McLaren have done it year in, year out. They have an outstanding record in terms of the development of their car."

It is not difficult to imagine Hamilton's head being turned by Mercedes – and not just for the money. The move would give him more control of his sponsorship deals and he would be with a company that is expected to do well when the regulations are overhauled in 2014.

It is also the sort of big-money deal that is right up the brightly coloured street of his agents, XIX Entertainment, who thrive on business such as this.

The future of the McLaren team is also less than certain, with speculation that their main sponsors, Vodafone, may leave and with a new engine deal with Mercedes starting next year.

Stewart, however, feels that Hamilton might take time to bed down with Mercedes. "He has been [at McLaren] for six years now. There is a risk that when you go to a new team it can take you 24 months to settle down," he said. "You have to get used to new engineers, new management, new cultures, new ways of doing things. He might immediately dial in and get it done, but I sometimes think the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know.

"I have not seen McLaren do anything wrong in terms of their culture and their performance. They have got fantastic facilities. You could go to a new team who might give you a regeneration, but he is one of the fastest drivers in the world."

When asked whether Hamilton appreciated the position he is in at McLaren, Stewart said: "Probably not because he has had it since his karting days because Ron [Dennis] gave him that beginning. I remember giving him a trophy at the RAC Club in Pall Mall and he was a wee boy of eight years in a black velvet dinner suit.

"Someone said to me: 'He is going to be bright for the future,' but he has been a big player in the sport and made a huge amount of money and that is largely down to McLaren not to Lewis.

"They were the ones who gave him the break and they have made him the driver he is. He's a very lucky boy. He's made huge amounts of money and that's only a tiny part of it. After you make a certain amount of money you are not going to make a lot more or less whether you go to one team or another. In fact, money is nothing to do with it."

Money, however, is a factor, and McLaren may have to move their position if they are to keep their star driver.

Meanwhile, Paul di Resta, a leading candidate to replace Hamilton at McLaren if the move does go ahead, has joined up with the Sports Partnership, who manage Button's affairs. The Force India driver said: "It's no secret that I have been looking for new representation and I am delighted to have found this with the Sports Partnership. They've been assisting me in a purely advisory capacity while I've been making my decision."